6th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2015 Hatch-A-Long

[Cynthia12]

Set some eggs today. Will set some on the 11th for the big day. Will see if they hatch for the big day..lol

 

[Jynuine]

So I have like a week and a half to get one of my chickens broody! I have an egg due to hatch any day now and that is my only broody hen! hahaha! No incubator

 

[Kaylish]

I have had 5 chick's hatch in the last 2 days! Here are just a bunch so far!

Super cute! Keep the pics coming!

I set them as soon as I remember to, lol.

-Kathy

I'm getting off work at noon that day so I'll set the minute I walk in the door.

It is so hard to find hatching eggs this time of year for what I want!

Know the feeling...just keep asking around.

Thanks! That's awesome! The temps though, have me a little confused. I just called Miller Manufacturing since I don't have the instructions for my incubator and she told me that for the still air, the temperature should be at 99.5 F. According to the hatch/egg turning chart on that site, the temp should be 100.5 F and humidity should be 55% for chickens.

On here, I've read in several threads that for still air incubators the temp should be around 102 F. So...should I go with the manufacturer's recommendation or people on here who are always hatching? It's a tough call but I've never had a good hatch rate before so I really want to get this right.

If I go with 102 F, would that make the chicks progress a bit faster and thus hatch a bit earlier than anticipated?
If I go with 99.5 F, would that make the chicks progress a bit slower and thus hatch a bit later than anticipated?

I also read somewhere that if you exercise in front of the incubator while singing softly to the chicks for at least 2 hours a day, they tend to be more active and people friendly when they hatch. Any truth to this?

Not sure about making them more active but might help with the cant-keep-hands-off-the-bator-itis I always seem to develop.

 

[jgoldy2]

I think that I will call my cousin to see about hatching together, or for a different holiday

 

[FuzzyHens]

Wait. I'm confused. If you can not risk cracking the eggs? When is it ever safe to crack and egg for incubating?

And candling a whole chicken is really a thing? I thought it was a joke! Why would you candle the whole chicken after the egg as been laid? I'm totally confused!

 

[ChickyChickens]

Getting my incubators today!!! The JN-48 and the JN-96!!! Am going to do a practice hatch in the 48 and then also join in the new years day one!! I cant wait~!!!

 

[FuzzyHens]

I also read somewhere that if you exercise in front of the incubator while singing softly to the chicks for at least 2 hours a day, they tend to be more active and people friendly when they hatch. Any truth to this?

I heard they prefer show tunes and are also more likely to hatch as pullets if you sing.

 

[hockeydad6791]

Hello hockey!  I remember you on another hatch a long.

Hi!! Yes I did the last Easter H-a-L with ya. So awesome your in this one as well!!

 

[Book]

What kind of eggs are you looking for?

Black Ameraucana and Sizzle eggs!

 

[ChickyChickens]

MY IN CUABTORS ARE HERE!!!

I have a question though...

Temperature
What must the temp be 37.5 degrees celcius??? Must it be that same heat the whole time or must it increase towards the end of the incubation???

Humidity
What must the humidity be??? I have heard that it must increase towards the end of the hatch??